The Model S Is Tesla Flagship Car, Not The Model 3

Tesla – the largest electric car making company in the world – will start production of its Model 3 electric car later this year. The Model 3 – the affordable Tesla electric vehicle – will start at the price of around $35,000 and will include a 215-mile electric range. This will make the Model 3 the most affordable car by the automaker and one of the handful of ‘relatively inexpensive’ long-range electric vehicles along with the Chevy Bolt.

Tesla reminds its customers that Model 3 is not the next version of Model S

In a blog post recently, the electric car maker reminded its customers that even though the affordable EV will be its newest car model, it would not be its most advanced. According to Tesla Motors, even after the Model 3 is released, the Model S will stay the flagship vehicle of the electric car maker.

The automaker said in its blog, “With a new model coming this year, we know our customers will have questions about which car is right for them. One question we’ve been asked is, “Should I trade in my Model S for a Model 3?” While Model 3 will be our newest car, it isn’t “Version 3” or the next generation Tesla. Our higher priced premium models still include the most advanced technology and the best driving experience we have to offer.”

Elon Musk, the Chief Executive Officer of Tesla Motors, mentioned – a few weeks ago – in a series of tweets that many people think that the affordable Tesla EV is the ‘next version’ of a Tesla, like the iPhone 2 vs iPhone 3 but that is not true. Musk instead compared the Model 3 to other vehicles like Audi A4 and BMW 3 Series. He compared the EV to a smaller, more entry-level car with fewer overall features than the features available in a larger, more advanced car like the BMW 5 Series or Audi A6.

Buy a Model S or Model X today: Tesla Motors

The Model 3 will bring several new consumers to the U.S.-based electric car making company, but the automaker would prefer if new customers would buy a more expensive and more profitable Model X or Model S. The company said, “And while innovation at Tesla will never stop, the very best vehicles we make are already available for purchase and on the road today.”

In his next tweet, the CEO admitted that the name of the Model 3 vehicle could cause confusion among people. He said “I was a dumb idiot and didn’t realize at the time that it would cause confusion.”

Nishtha Singh is a iStartup staff reporter who covers tech news, including review of devices, emerging startups, acquisitions, gadgets, Cars, Cloud, EVs, AR, VR, AI and more. Further, she is a reader, a tech-enthusiast, and a writer. Editor at Teenage Publishing and proof-reader at Evoque Publishing.